IRGC Wondering if Saudis behind Border Guards Abduction

Rasa - Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Spokesman Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif said the terrorists who kidnapped Iranian border guards in Mirjaveh might have ties with Saudi Arabia.

News ID: 441380

Date: 05 November 2018 - 15:15

RNA - He made the remarks on Sunday in Khorramabad, Lorestan province, on the sideline of the nationwide rallies to mark the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US embassy, known in Iran as "the den of espionage".

Asked about the latest status of Iranian border guards who were kidnapped by terrorists in Mirjaveh, Sistan-Balouchestan province, he told the media that due to the special circumstances in the province, terrorists are always after harming Iranian guards.

Touching upon recent visits of IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Pakistan, he added that Pakistani politicians and military officials have promised to have effective cooperation with Iran on releasing abducted border guards.

He hoped that with the increased pressure on terrorists, the guards would be released soon.

The IRGC Ground Force in a statement on October 16 blasted foreign enemies for the abduction of the Iranian Basijis (volunteer forces) and border guards by a terrorist group in Mirjaveh border in Southeastern Sistan-Balouchestan province on October 15.

"Last night (on night of October 15) a number of Basij forces and guards of the border regiment who were stationed in the zero border point in Mirjaveh were kidnapped by counterrevolutionary groups," the public relations of the IRGC Ground Force's Qods Headquarters said in its statement.

According to Fars News Agency, the IRGC pointed to the fortified positions of Iranian border regiment, and said, "Members of a terrorist group that is supported by foreign intelligence services after deceiving some traitors managed to abduct Iran's border guards along the common border with Pakistan."

It noted that the operations against the terrorists and the outlaws as well as the needed measures to set free the abducted Basijis and border guards tops agenda of the security forces stationed along the border regions, and said, "We expect the Pakistani government to seriously deal with the outlaws and terrorists who are stationed along the borders and are supported by some reactionary countries of the region while expediting releasing the abducted Basijis and handing them over to border guards."

According to reports, the incident happened in Lulakdan village, near the border of Pakistan, at around 4 a.m. local time.

The Iranian forces were participating in a plan to boost the security of Mirjaveh border unit.

Jeish al-Adl terrorist group, whose base is in Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for abduction of the Iranian border guards.

847/940